Justin Forsett To Visit Lions
Free agent running back Justin Forsett will visit with the Lions tomorrow, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter). Forsett has had an interesting start to the 2016 campaign, as he was released by the Ravens as part of the team’s final cut-down to a 53-man roster before re-signing with Baltimore just two days later (for the same term and salary that he had remaining on his old contract). It became apparent at that time that the two sides had a prearranged agreement that allowed the Ravens to put several other players on IR with a designation to return while assuring Forsett that he would return to the club.
But Forsett struggled mightily as the team’s feature back during the first three weeks of the season, managing just 98 yards on 31 carries. He lost his starting job to Terrance West last week, and West enjoyed a strong outing, posting 113 yards and a score on 21 carries. Between West’s emergence and the impending return of rookie Kenneth Dixon, who was the team’s most dynamic back in training camp and in the preseason before suffering an injury that forced him to miss the first four weeks of the regular season, Forsett became expendable.
The Lions, through, are very thin at the running back position, as starter Ameer Abdullah was put on IR earlier this year and rookie Dwayne Washington is also dealing with injury problems. At 31, Forsett does not appear to have much left in the tank, even though he did not become a full-time starter until his surprising breakout campaign with the Ravens in 2014. However, he is still a strong pass protector and offers some ability as a receiver out of the backfield, so he could be a useful third-down back in Detroit.
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AFC Notes: Bolts, Raiders, Dolphins, Joeckel
After a second straight Chargers season faces the prospects of being overrun by injuries, the team is planning to expand its offseason studies in this area. The organization appears set to devote more resources to researching injuries come 2017, given what’s happened over the past month.
“I can assure you this year is going to be more in-depth and thorough than ever before,” Chargers president John Spanos said, via Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune.
This year’s Chargers have lost numerous key players, from the preseason injury to Stevie Johnson to the early-season carnage that’s taken out Keenan Allen, Danny Woodhead, Jahleel Addae, Manti Te’o and now Jason Verrett. Antonio Gates and Joey Bosa have also missed extensive time due to injuries. This comes after 2015’s spate of maladies that helped put the Bolts in the top five of a draft for the first time since 2004.
Gehlken points out the early portion of this decade did not bring the trouble the past two years have, with ACL and Achilles tears sparse before the ’15 season. Several within the organization said they’ve never seen anything like what’s happened to the Chargers on the health front the past two years, per Gehlken.
Here’s more from the AFC as most of its franchises prepare for their fifth games.
- Al Davis‘ death staggered the Raiders and left them without a true GM for most of the 2011 season, but it ended up triggering the franchise’s steady climb back to respectability, Kevin Acee of the Union-Tribune writes. In addition to Reggie McKenzie drafting better than his predecessor, at least in the several years before his death, the Raiders hired a coach in Jack Del Rio who demanded facility upgrades, Acee writes.
- The Dolphins aren’t sold on Ja’Wuan James‘ long-term potential at right tackle, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald writes. A Dolphins source questioned the third-year player’s drive, noting the team hasn’t done enough to provide competition for him at that spot. Billy Turner replaced James against the Browns before James reacquired the job due to a Turner injury. “That was a wasted pick for a first-rounder,” former front-office executive Ken Herock told Jackson. “He should have been a third- or fourth-rounder. I questioned his strength, his recovery ability. Those are things I didn’t see.” Pro Football Focus rates James as the No. 44 tackle thus far in 2016 among the 75 who qualify as full-timers.
- Jackson also notes Chiefs center Mitch Morse and Chargers inside linebacker Denzel Perryman drew support from members of the Dolphins front office during Day 2 of the 2015 draft, but Mike Tannenbaum opted to trade down and snag defensive tackle Jordan Phillips, who has not produced to this point, in the second round.
- Luke Joeckel‘s surgery could make a return to the Jaguars more likely in 2017, Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union writes. Although the former No. 2 overall pick has not panned out, a strong season at guard would have created a robust market for Joeckel instead of one that could well be tepid due to a small work sample at his second position. Joeckel proved ill-equipped at left tackle, prompting the Jags to bring in Kelvin Beachum, and played just 155 snaps at left guard before undergoing surgery to repair his ACL, MCL and mensicus. O’Halloran notes the team liked what they saw from Joeckel inside. He stands to be a UFA if not re-signed after the Jags declined his fifth-year option.
- The Broncos are planning to give Paxton Lynch his first NFL start Sunday after deeming Trevor Siemian unfit to return.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/8/16
Here are today’s minor moves.
- Offensive lineman Chris Scott will return to the Panthers‘ 53-man roster after the team activated the previously suspended blocker, Max Henson of Panthers.com tweets. The defending NFC champions made room for the sixth-year player — and fourth-year Panther — by waiving fellow offensive lineman Tyler Larsen.
- C.J. Wilson‘s odyssey through roster fringes continued Saturday, with the Bears again cutting the journeyman defensive lineman. Chicago released Wilson and promoted cornerback Demontre Hurst from its practice squad, Jeff Dickerson of ESPN.com tweets. The Bears cut Wilson two weeks ago before re-signing him; the seventh-year defensive lineman hasn’t played in a game yet this season. He’s spent time with the Raiders, Lions, Saints and Bears since last season. Hurst’s promotion coincides with corner Deiondre’ Hall being out, per Rich Campbell of the Chicago Sun-Times (on Twitter).
- The Patriots signed defensive tackle Woodrow Hamilton off their practice squad, Doug Kyed of NESN.com reports (on Twitter). Hamilton could become the Pats’ third defensive tackle against the Browns, with third-round rookie Vincent Valentine nursing a back injury and only four DTs listed on the roster.
- The Lions signed outside linebacker Steve Longa off their practice squad in a busy day of transactions, Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com tweets. A rookie UDFA, Longa spent time with the Seahawks earlier this offseason. He and now-activated Armonty Bryant take the roster spots of Aaron Dobson and offensive lineman Brian Mihalik. DeAndre Levy remains out as well, creating a need at the position.
Cowboys Activate Demarcus Lawrence
The Cowboys’ pass rush will receive a boost on Sunday after the team officially activated Demarcus Lawrence, placing him back on its 53-man roster, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.
Lawrence missed four games because of a substance-abuse suspension, depriving the Cowboys of their top pass-rusher. The third-year player led Dallas with eight sacks last season, doing so after registering none as a rookie in seven games in 2014.
Dallas ranks in a tie for 24th in the league with just six sacks this season, besting only five teams’ totals. It’s been without Lawrence, Randy Gregory and elected to move on from Greg Hardy. Defensive tackle Tyrone Crawford is the only Cowboy with more than one sack, posting two through four games.
A former second-round pick, Lawrence saw his appeal denied, forcing him to miss four games. He missed nine in 2014 after suffering a broken foot before playing in all 16 last year.
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Broncos To Start Paxton Lynch In Week 5
5:13pm: It’s now unlikely Siemian suits up and works as the backup, per Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com. Davis is expected to be the No. 2 quarterback against Atlanta. The 27-year-old Davis last played for the Browns last season, going 0-2 as a starter and playing in three games. He signed a one-year, $1.25MM deal with the Broncos after the team cut Mark Sanchez.
4:48pm: With Trevor Siemian still struggling with the injury to his non-throwing shoulder, the Broncos will give Paxton Lynch his first NFL start Sunday, Mike Klis of 9News reports.
Multiple sources informed Klis the first-round pick will start against the Falcons but noted Siemian could be ready to return to the lineup by the time the defending Super Bowl champions face the Chargers on Thursday.
Previous reports had Siemian, who has yet to be ruled out, as a potential game-time decision. The Broncos are reportedly going to air on the side of caution in this case after the starter suffered a sprained AC joint during the second quarter of Denver’s Week 4 win over Tampa Bay. It’s not known if Siemian will dress and be the backup in case of a Lynch injury or if Austin Davis would do so, but Klis notes the Broncos not deeming Siemian healthy enough to start points to them shelving him for the day.
Concern exists within the team whether Siemian’s left shoulder was healthy enough to absorb contact, per Klis, who adds the former Northwestern passer took a few team reps in Friday’s practice.
Gary Kubiak said earlier this week the job will again be Siemian’s once he’s healthy.
Receiving his first game action of the season, Lynch completed 14-of-24 passes for 170 yards and a touchdown against the Buccaneers. The first-round pick’s completion percentage (58.3) was well behind each of Siemian’s this season, with the 2015 seventh-rounder holding a 67.3 completion rate, but supposedly raw quarterback directed the Broncos to three scoring drives after entering late in the first half.
He’ll face a Falcons defense that ranks 30th through four games.
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Patriots Activate Tom Brady, Rob Ninkovich
It’s time for pure, unadulterated excitement, Patriots fans. New England activated Rob Ninkovich on Saturday in advance of the Patriots-Browns game. He will be set to return to his place at left defensive end after his four-game PED suspension concluded.
The team also activated Tom Brady, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (on Twitter).
While these moves aren’t surprising, they officially mark the return of the iconic quarterback and longtime edge player to the field for the AFC East-leading Pats.
In addition to the suspension, Ninkovich suffered a torn triceps muscle in August. Both Jabaal Sheard and Chris Long have played more than 70 percent of the Patriots’ snaps at defensive end, so Ninkovich might not return to the starter’s role he held immediately, Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald estimates. The 32-year-old veteran has started since the 2010 season for the Pats and has been the longest-tenured performer on their defense, starting in all 16 games in each of the past five seasons.
Both Long and Sheard have five quarterback pressures, and the former Browns edge presence leads the Pats with three sacks.
For the record, Brady returns from his four-game Deflategate suspension to stabilize what’s been a chaotic Patriots quarterback position.
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Cardinals Move Evan Mathis To IR
Injuries have interrupted Evan Mathis‘ Cardinals campaign at every turn, and the latest setback may end the veteran guard’s year. The Cardinals placed Mathis on IR due to the ankle injury he sustained against the 49ers on Thursday night, Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com reports.
The Cardinals replaced Mathis on their roster by signing Ulrick John off the Dolphins’ practice squad, per Urban.
Already playing after suffering turf toe and a mid-foot sprain this season, Mathis went down late in the first half of Arizona’s Week 5 victory. He will be unable to return to the team for at least eight games, if the Cardinals determine Mathis a realistic candidate to come off IR. Earlier this week, Bruce Arians said the team is considering bringing either Chris Johnson or Tyvon Branch off the IR list. Both are recovering from hernia surgeries.
Teams can only bring one player from IR back onto the active roster.
The 34-year-old Mathis signed a one-year deal with the Cardinals this offseason, doing so after his one-year pact with the Broncos translated into him receiving a Super Bowl ring for his work as the 2015 champions’ starting left guard. The former Eagles first-team All-Pro graded as Pro Football Focus’ No. 1 run-blocking guard last season despite playing through injuries.
Arizona is expected to start fourth-year blocker Earl Watford in Mathis’ right guard spot.
Steelers Place Golson, Harris On IR
Senquez Golson‘s Steelers debut might have to wait until 2017, depending on what happens with the team’s injury situation this season.
Pittsburgh placed the second-year cornerback on IR, where he will join backup tackle Ryan Harris, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (on Twitter). A preseason foot injury sidelined Golson, but the Steelers previously kept him on their active roster. The 2015 second-round pick spent the entirety of last season on IR.
This move isn’t entirely unexpected since Golson underwent foot surgery in early August, with the procedure’s rehab timeline hovering around four months. He missed all of last season due to an August shoulder operation. The Steelers can bring Golson back later in the year, but Golson has to miss at least eight weeks’ worth of games and six weeks’ worth of practices, per the tweaked IR rules.
Harris was injured against the Chiefs while starting for the ailing Marcus Gilbert at right tackle. He’d been the swing man behind Gilbert and Alejandro Villanueva this season after signing for two years and $3.9MM this offseason. The 31-year-old Harris began 2015 as the Broncos’ starting right tackle before injuries elsewhere relocated him to the left side, where he started the final 15 games for the Super Bowl champions.
Harris’ injury leaves Chris Hubbard as the Steelers’ starting right tackle Sunday against the Jets. Maurkice Pouncey took reps at right tackle this week despite having never played there in a game.
The Steelers replaced Harris and Golson on their roster with offensive lineman Matt Feiler and cornerback Al-Haj Shabazz, via practice squad promotions.
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Lions Activate Armonty Bryant, Cut Aaron Dobson
Armonty Bryant will be in position to make his Lions debut Sunday after the team activated the suspended defensive end, Adam Caplan of ESPN.com tweets. As a result, Aaron Dobson‘s Detroit debut might never come after the Lions again made him a Saturday cut again.
Bryant missed the first four games this season due to a suspension that stemmed from his December 2015 arrest for possessing Adderall without a prescription. The Browns waived him earlier this week, re-routing Bryant to Detroit via waiver claim.
An outside linebacker in the Browns’ 3-4 scheme, Bryant played defensive end at Division II East Central (Okla.), so moving back to that role in the Lions’ 4-3 look might not be a big issue for the fourth-year player. He started just four games in his three years in Cleveland but is coming off a career-best campaign that included 5.5 sacks.
The Lions will be without reigning NFC sack leader Ziggy Ansah again on Sunday. Aside from Kerry Hyder‘s five sacks, the remainder of Detroit’s defensive front has just three.
Dobson may not have as easy a path back to the Lions as he did when the team waived him last month for temporary help. Bryant is expected to stay on the 53-man roster, so the former Patriots wide receiver could venture back onto the workout circuit where he resided in between being cut by New England after the preseason and signing with Detroit.
The Lions cut Dobson two weeks ago due to a depth issue at linebacker before re-signing him shortly after. He’s yet to be active for a game this season. Detroit also cut tackle Brian Mihalik, Caplan reports.
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Rams Cut Coty Sensabaugh
Barely a month into his first Rams season, Coty Sensabaugh will head back to unaffiliated status within the NFL. The Rams cut the recently signed cornerback to make room for the signing of defensive lineman Morgan Fox off their practice squad, Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com tweets.
Sensabaugh started in two games for Los Angeles this season and played in three, doing so after signing a three-year deal to come over from Tennessee in the offseason.
Signed for $14.5MM across that span, Sensabaugh will earn $4.5MM for his time with the Rams this season, $1MM via fully guaranteed base salary and $3.5MM via roster bonus, Adam Caplan of ESPN.com notes (on Twitter). He will also collected a $1MM roster bonus next March, per Caplan (on Twitter). The 27-year-old corner was playing on a $4.85MM cap number this season for the Rams.
A fourth-round Titans pick in 2012, Sensabaugh worked his way into Tennessee’s starting lineup in 2015. He started 15 games last season to command the middling sum in free agency. He made 58 tackles, two interceptions and returned one for a touchdown last season. This year with the Rams, he became a healthy scratch by Week 4, playing behind E.J. Gaines and Lamarcus Joyner.
Jeff Fisher attributed Sensabaugh’s healthy-scratch designation to the team needing more linemen available, and Fox will further that notion. Robert Quinn, William Hayes and Michael Brockers sat out practice Friday and are questionable for Week 5.
Fox joined the Rams as a UDFA out of Division II Colorado State-Pueblo this offseason.
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